Substitute House Bill No. 6409 seeks to improve the workers' compensation claims process by amending Section 31-296 of the general statutes. The bill introduces new requirements for employers to submit written agreements regarding compensation to an administrative law judge (ALJ) for approval, making these agreements binding. It also mandates that employers notify both the ALJ and the employee before any discontinuation or reduction of payments due to incapacity, detailing the reasons and effective date. If an employer discontinues or reduces payments without prior approval, they are required to repay the employee the total amount owed, along with interest and reasonable attorney's fees.

Additionally, the bill establishes protocols for employers or insurers who wish to object to or discontinue payments for prescribed medications or durable medical equipment. They must provide written notice to the employee and the ALJ, including the reasons for the proposed action and the effective date, with the option for employees to request a hearing within 15 days of receiving the notice. The bill clarifies that these requirements do not apply if the discontinuation is initiated by the employee's authorized healthcare provider. The effective date for the bill is set for October 1, 2025, and it is expected to have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Administrative Services and municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 31-296
LAB Joint Favorable: 31-296
File No. 551: 31-296